Sirikotha comes under mob attack

Violence erupted opposite the United National Party Headquarters - Sirikotha - with the release of election results to the party’s top posts. It was the first time in the history of the UNP that an election was held to appoint a Leader, a Deputy Leader and a National Organizer. A crowd of around 1,000 people created mayhem by pelting stones at the vehicles of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake.

The party headquarters was also damaged in the melee. These people entered Sirikotha by breaking open the gates and damaged the property and vehicles of VIPs who came for the election.

Police took additional measures to protect UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Traffic between the Ethul Kotte and Pita Kotte Junctions came to a halt as the crowd began pelting stones at Sirikotha soon after the announcement of the election results, compelling Police to temporarily close the road between the Pita Kotte and Ethul Kotte Junctions.

Police say that the commotion that took place opposite Sirikotha was pre-planned by groups with vested interests.